An elderly couple was left without a home after a house collapsed early this Wednesday morning (April 16) on Rua Cunha Matos in Faro.
The collapse happened at around 8.30am in an area where construction work was already underway nearby. One car was completely destroyed and another damaged as debris fell onto the street.
According to the National Civil Protection Agency (ANEPC), authorities were alerted at 8.43am. A total of 19 firefighters, supported by seven vehicles, were sent to the scene.
Faro mayor António Miguel Pina said the cause of the collapse is still under investigation.
“The reasons for the collapse are still being assessed. Naturally, as you can see, there is construction work next door, which was already being closely monitored, because there had been some concerns raised by neighbours. There are two displaced people, a couple, both elderly,” he told reporters.
There were no serious injuries. The mayor said the man received medical attention at the hospital but confirmed that no one was seriously hurt.
“Our main concern is with these people, and then the municipal services and, possibly, insurance companies, to assess whether the project was being followed, whether it had all the safety conditions, or if something failed, which is what we will have to determine.”
Initial fears that people might be trapped under the rubble were not confirmed.
“The man was in an area close to where the collapse occurred, while his wife was on the other side of the house, so that was the only initial concern,” he said.
Authorities are now focusing on supporting the displaced couple and determining the cause of the incident, while also assessing damage to the surrounding public space.
